Trends in the multifunctional performance of polyolefin/clay nanocomposite injection moldings

The performance of injection-moulded products in service (e.g., mechanical, thermal, or tribological) or their integrity is very much affected by the processing conditions that are used. In the case of nanocomposites, the compounding and injection-moulding issues are particularly sensitive. In this review, particular attention was given to the research contribution that focused on processing, morphological, and performance issues that are typical of real-life products. These products feature complex characteristics such as reduced thickness, long flow path ratios, intense anisotropic orientation and weldlines. These characteristics are not usually present in standard test pieces used in research. Recent research data are gathered to illustrate how those characteristics are being integrated in the understanding of the processing and the products designed for specific functions.